m. APRIL 1985

E EMPLOYEES OF GE INFORMATION SERVICES COMPANY

GETS ,

NEW PC"11ST INTRnnUCTION

MARKMAKERS

............................... QUIK-COMWM sale to AFS.. .1 ....................................................... NPIP out :3

.................................. INTERFACE '85 rvsults.. .4 Markmakers.. ................................................ .5

.......................... Telecommunications training.. .7 ....................................................... Fast Fax .8

........................................ Tech pubs winners . l l ............................................ 1)ocurnentation .12

.............................................. Worth noting.. .13 ................................................... Milestones .1S

SPECTRUM is published by Employee Communication, General Electric Information Services Companyr, 401 N. Washington St. OlB, RocMUe, M-d 20860, U.S.A. for employees. For distribution chwges QUIIC-OMM OLOS. For additional copies QUlE-COMM: OLOS, publication number 0308.04. SPECTRUM Editor: G. C. Barnes QUIK-COMM: YLOP; DIAL COMM: 8*273-4476 Fast-Fax Editor: Jim Doyle QUK-COMM: FAST; DIALCOMM: 8*274-6617 Documentation Editor: Dex Nilsson QUIK-COMM: OLOS; DIAL COMM: 8*273-4444

@ m m T I O N SERVlCES 6wn(~trrMwnuaaSnrmaeon(myUSh

"What we are doing for American Floral Services, Inc.," said Carolyn Bradfield, marketing representa- tive, Office Compunications Operation, "is dramat- ically affecting their business." She was discussing the recent addition of the Oklahoma City based AFS as a reseller of the QUIK-COMM System in the wire transfer of flowers market. AFS is a $100 million clearinghouse for floral transfers and has been in business since 1971. "They are proud that they have grown so large in just 14 years against tough FTD competition. ' '

The relationship began when AFS saw a good opportunity to compete with the older FTD Services by putting up its own wire service. The FI'D system is comprised of teletypewriters, and a customer could use AFS for flowers by wire by pressing a button on the FTD teletypewriters. AFS saw a market for a cheaper, more versatile system.

Bonnie Derrick is the account representative as- signed to AFS, and she called in Carolyn after her first meeting with AFS. "What they were really look- ing for was a reliable, large network, and having the name of GE behind them was a big bonus. There are horror stories in the industry of systems burping and florists losing thousands of orders, so reliability was a key factor," Carolyn explained.

"Our client had worked for a major accounting firm, so he was familiar with our services," Carolyn said. "They were very impressed with our published up time, the redundance, and both WATS and local access-no other network could touch us on those qualifications. "

"Combined with the network, the QUIK-COMM System was a perfect fit. The mailbox concept, the store and forward features, forcing a reply, group addressing, message tracing, and administering their own system were just what they wanted. In fact, the system had to be modified very little to suit their

needs. And finally, the price was right, with the transaction price just under 50s an order," she con- tinued. "After the initial fit, we spent a lot of time searching for the appropriate hardware for AFS to offer to its subscribers. We recommended the IBM PC and the Texas Instruments 707 data terminal."

Carolyn explained that AES contracted with SDC to write the functional specifications for the soft- ware needed for those two pieces of equipment. AFS then contracted with two vendors to write the soft- ware for the IBM PC and the TI 707 data terminal. The result is that the TI 707 has an auto access cartridge to pop into the machine. With the car- tridge the florist can order flowers or supplies, send and receive messages, and cancel or edit orders. "The TI even has a clock so that it can access the network and look for orders at preset times. During peak periods, such as Mothers Day, the clock can be changed to look more frequently."

"The whole project took lots of time from a group of people both in OCO and outside," Carolyn said. Bill Wright, application support manager, and Janis Schwartzkopf, marketing representative, worked on the technical end from Marketing & U.S. Sales Oper- ations; and Katie Vogelheim, sales manager, western area, Rand Walker, technical consultant, western area, and Joni Reeves, technical specialist, from OCO, all worked hard to make the project go.

When everything was lined up, AFS sent fliers to its members announcing the service. Already they have 700 people signed up for the service and are working toward 3000 by Mothers Day and 10,000 by next year. AFS has 19,000 members out of 33,000 U.S. and 600 Canadian florists. Ninety-five percent of those who have signed up have chosen to use the TI 707. "Since most of the florists are small opera- tions, the TI 707 offers them what they need at a low cost. This is an important part of AFS being

competitive with FTD on the overall costs, and since "While it is important for AFS to be a QUX- AFS's philosophy is no charge to the ordering florist, COMM customer, what's great about this sale is that the whole arrangement keeps them competitive on AFS is the first vertical market that we have broken price while offering more services." into-and that's the real key to our success!"

M WMW (iretl) and Carolyn go over some of the Q(IH0MI and N t7mm in the aver photo.)

WON PROCES!

"It is really a guide to the process,"said Dave Mc- proval-mark the end of a project that began with Intosh, project manager, pricing. He was describing the NPIP task force in 1983. the New Product Introduction Process (NPIP) Proj- "The NPIP Handbook reflects what is happen- ect Manager's Handbook. Dave has been working ing and what should be happening in the process," on the handbook since last year, and its completion Dave explained. "It will be most beneficial to the -and the issuance of the revised company policy Marketing product manager who is responsible for a 6-2, New Product Introduction and F'inal Price Ap- new product, but it will also be useful for the people

"".."-. a

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

NPIP

I CI\I VI,I.l"l.VL

TRACKING

Idea Business ProductfSe~ice Oevelopmentl

Fit Strategy Strategy Development Test

.,wW.eo I-= IMIIYIM,",,,

Factor Analysis 1 & Resolution I

RESULTS IN ON INTERFACE '85 who interface with Marketing, such as Engineering, nrwr au tne E r n e anu errorc anu money spent on the Project Integration Office, Finance, client serv- preparing for a;nd participating in INTERFACE '85, ices, who are members of a new product introduc- what exactly were the results? Eileen Hussar, senior tion team. " systems specialist, Enhanced Telecommunications

The I-h-d~ook lays out the phases a new project Venture, has prepared the following summary of the goes through from inception through ~ o m m e ] ~ : i m - results as of the end of March. tion to performance tracking. The handbook includes

ACTIVITY sections on project concepts, the NPIP life cycle, GOAL REALITY

work breakdown structure for NPP, concept devel- Reception 200 450-500 attendees opment, commerciaJization, the project file, project attendees (80 percent clients)

scheduling and project management software, and Press Breakfast 15 16 high-quality milestone reporting. (See chart, page 3.) attendees attendees; one-on-

one interview of "The phases and stages are not new," David Bob McCalley by

said. "Variations on the basics can be found in a B u s i ~ Wmk

I number of marketing textbooks and publications, Literature requests 200 360; 75 percent 7 but I have never seen the whole process described Fortune 1OOO in just this way, This really flows from our business H O S P ~ ~ ~ Y suite 5 5 companies and how we can do things better here. Even so, not companies per day; all every product will include every task in every per day significant

opportunities stage, but most products will include at least half. Paper presentations 50 And the tasks should be viewed as a checklist so 150 attendees attendees each

that the project manager and the other NPIP team 1

each members do not overlook anything. " The net result Almost 5, 000 6FInfomzat& dew is that everyone understands the expectations and ,, ,, lluelw cl*t -en- the project can be completed with d the aspects t a t h haw alye&g bem scheduled and - dovetailed. The NPIP is also useful in the prelimi- ,,,, h, ;, +hD ,,,- nary planning phase to determine when projects can be realistically delivered.

The revised company policy 6-2, which is slated to be effedive this month, assumes that the NPIP will be followed in order to obtain a final price approval. The new policy replaces one that has been in effect since November of 1970. "The policy stresses the cooperation of Marketing and U.S. Sales Operations, International Sales and Services Opera- tions, and Office Communication Operation, " Dave said. "The three operations must work together to succeed. "

J f p o u w0u.M like a copy qf the NPIP Handbook, eqp.h are amilable.from, OLOS, publication nurn- bm 850.02.

IiVTHME '85 ghawys.

-4

1985 MARKMAKERS: SMALL IS

"The scale may be reduced, but the intent is the same-recognizing and rewardin@: the outstandug contributors to our business for 1984," said GE In- formation Services President Wdt Williams. He was t a m about the 1985 Markmakers which was held March 11-14 in Maui, Hawaii. This year, 60 U.S. Mark- makers and five hosts and 25 International Sales & Services Operations Markmakers attended "Treasure Island." They are: John W. Adams F! J. Gargallo Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, Georgia George P. Alber William R. Gavin Sad& Brook, New Jersey N m York, New York Mirko Bassetti Thomas M. George Milan, Italy Sun Francisco, Calgornia Laura Bernini Neil Gilmartin Milan, Italy Atlanta, Georgia Susan W. Breither Garret Goo Glastonbury, Conleecticut Sun Francisco, California Steven B. Canale Gail M. G d a n o Faivield, Connecticut Kingston, United Kingdm Charles E. Cappello John W. Griffin Glastonbury, Connecticut Sun Francisco, Calgornia Sandra A. Carey Joseph M. Grzegorzewski Morristown, New Jersey Rockville, Maryland Chou b g Soong Eugene Haefliger Singapore Zurich, Switzerland Alberto Ciano Furin, Italy Louis J. Ciccone Philadelphia, PennsyIvania Ludovic Cohen-Zardi Montrouge, Fmnce John A. Conway Fai?fieEd, Connecticut Anthony L. Craig Rockville, Margland J. Ian CuthberEson Etobicolce, Ontario, Canada Donald W. Eimerbrink Westfield, Indiana Michael J . Emmi Rockville, Maryland Genevieve Fkbre-Abbas Montrouge, Fmnce Mark R. Feldman Dallas, T a u s Ron Fellows Rockville, Maryland Mach B. Flinn New Yn-k, New York Sandra Fbglia Sun Fmrt.chm, Calgoq Izy Franc0 New Yn-k, New York

Jack C. Hauber RockviEle, Maryland Paul H e m g Morristourn, Neul Jersey Raymond F. Heyd Arlington, Virginia Christopher Hodge London, United Kingdom Barbara Hofmann-Baecker Huerth Efferen, West Gemzany Mary L. Ingalls Walnut Creek, Calzyornia Paul H . Inserra Rockville, Maryland Robert Nelson Knight Atlanta, Georgia Louis J . Lampe Ami?mdam, !iTw Netherlands Robert J. Lindeman Rochester, New Yn-k Christopher L. Lippold Rockville, Maryland Richard Loesch Dallas, T a a s Robert Maube Montrouge, France

Edward N. Mazur New Ywk, New Ywk Jeffrey W. McClain Newport Beach, Calgomzia Addison L. McGarrity Atlanta, Georgia Donald M. McGrath Lyndhurst, New Jersey Bert Meennan Amsterdam, The Netherlands A1 Moss Tampa, Florida Peter R. Moxom Kingston, United Kingdom F. Dennis Mulford Blue Ash, Ohio William D. Muller Tampa, Florida Lawrence P. Murphy San Francisco, Caltyomia C.I.R. Murray Amsterdam, The Netherlands Mark R. O'Leary Rockville, Maryland Dave Parker London, United Kingdom

Canf'd m next ptg8

Muld you want to be shipwrecked with these two?

An authentic luau was a highlight.

Alan Rousselot Efemk.Brt%fth - M i k m Point, N S. W , . New York, New York Australia -3 ' Ronald A. Straight Daniel G. Schultz New Ywk, New York Kingston, United Kingdom Paul S. Tamura Charles A. Seibold, III Chicago, Illinois Tampa, Florida Blaine L. Thacker

Jean-Jacques Poussol Sheila Reid Robert J. Shuman Sun Fmncisco, Cajifornia Brzlssels, Belgium London, United Kingdom Arlington, Virginia J. G. "Sonny" 'Ibm Scott M. Putnam Gianni Rocca John W. Sidgmore Los Angeles, Cab@nnia DenverS Colorado firin, Italy Saddle Brook, New Jersey Phyllis F. Verma

lmirg tlie h e art ~f PlJLnW making.

~ r ~ i n g t o n , Virginia Roberto Vemacchia

I Judy B. Vonverk Dallas, Taas Daniel F. Wecker Oakbrook Tmace, Illinois Geoff Wiggin Kingston, United Kingdom Gregory T Williams Nashville, Ten- Walter W. WiUams Rockville, Margla7td Craig T. Yamamoto Sun Ebl'ancisco, C a l i f m i a

1 TELECOMMUHICATIONS TRAINING ROLLS OUT

Last month, the pilot of the field version of "Making the Telecommunications Switch" was held in the Intem~kionEla lkaining Center. W o dozen people attended the three- day course, titled "Telecom- munications Markets and Ca- pabilities. " (See schedule, at right.) The course reviews technical concepts in data communications and presents the telecommunications mar- ketplace, GE Information Services' telecommunications marketplace, GE Information

' Services' telecommunications position, how GE Informa- tion Services compares to the competition, the company's strengths, and the team re- quired to support the sale and implementation.

In order to receive the maximum benefit from the course, educational services has established a group of pre- requisites to provide basic knowledjje in data communi- cations concepts and termi- nology, the telecommunica-

tions market, and the GE In- formation Services network. Attendees should have the h w 1 d p contained in the following courses, whether they obtain it by attending the course, reviewing course handouts, or through work experience. They are:

Data Communications Lit- eracy-a computer based training ( 0 course which is now on line, and covers the material in the instruc- tor delivered course from 1984. Requires four hours t~ complete. IBM Communications Con- cept-a CBT course that takes six to eight hours to complete. However, only sdions 1,2,8,9, 10, and 11 are necessary, and they re- quire only two hours to complete. Qlecommunications in the Business Environment-a new self-paced course that provides an overview of the telecommunications market from a client per- spective and a discdon of a wide range of generic tel-

COURSE SCHEDULES Teleccrmmnnications Markets and Capabilities

(Registration by region manager nomination) April 9-11 Teaneck, New Jersey

17-19 Chicago 24-26 Dallas

30-May 2 New Jersey May 1-3 Atlanta

7-9 Denver 15-17 Los Angeles 21-23 San Francisco 28-30 Cincinnati

June 4-6 Houston 11-13 Chicago 18-20 Los Angeles

GE Information Services Communication Capabilities

April 15-16 New York 22-23 Dallas 29-30 Atlanta

May 13-14 Los Angeles

Comprehensive Data Communication April 812 New York

22-26 San Francisco May 6-10 Rockville

20-24 Morristown

I June 3-7 Dallas 17-21 Chicago

ecommunication activities. It is about one day in length. GE Information Services Communications Capabili- ties--extensively offered in 1984 and selectively of- fered this year. it provides a detailed description of the company's communication capabilities.

The most important prerequi- site is an on-line self-evalua- tion test on telecommunica- tions. The m m s e is for wo-

anyone from taking the course, each person will be given his test results along with suggestions on what courses he needs to study.

Educational services is also offering a new five-day tech- nical course, "Comprehensive Data Communications," which presents an in-depth descrip tion of the operation of the components that make up a data communications network. Network tomlo&es and their - -

ple to identify in which a&s strengths and weaknesses, their knowledge is sufficient standards, layered architec- to take advantage of the core

!"I course and in which areas

kq they need to study more before attendinn the course. The test is now-on-line, and each student must take the test at least one week prior to attending the core course. While lo; scores will not bar

"7

tures including Om and SNA, circuits, multiplexing, and transmission techniques are covered in depth. Prerequi- sites for this course are the CBT courses Data communica- tions Literacy and IBM Com- munication Concepts.

IRIS JYSTAD LOS ANGELES

When Iwent into Mailboxto I pick up a number in a Qcat- alog, the message came back saying I could not get the new numbeq since it was controlled by a dwer- ent cost center. Isn't this a change? Yes, it is a change. Previously any sales office could go into M&J~x and get a Q catalog number assigned. Now, the cost center that-handles the author is the only cost center that can submit a mailbox for a new number. Furthermore, the AR who signed up the author can make the decision about a revenue split. If you get such a message, and you don't know who owns the Q catalog, look at the DY28 file named CCENTERS, for phone numbers and QC addresses.

ADORIA LANDRY SAN F'RANCISCO

Are there any procedures on line relative to action an o m e should take when em- ployees leave the company? Yes, the manager of Data Security, Jim Boomer has a re- minder on QK11 with the file- name SECUI1*.

JULIETWHITSON LONDON

Please pass this on to your readers concerning usage of phonetics when describ- ing catalogs. We experi- enced a delay because of a typographical e m r in a QUIK-CO1M1Mn System mes- sage. Whenever possible, catalogs should be ex- pmased with phonetics not only in verbal communica- tions, but in written com- munications also. VC2O can come out as VX20, but not Efyou Qpe Victor Char- lie 20.

MARIEm BAGLIERI CHICAGO

Is them anyjile on line that wUlgiwan overview orback-

F 8*274-6517 Qk FAST I ground iMormation &out me wonder mhere onegds a GE Ir@rmation Services? copy Qf the Employee Soft- Yes. Nancy Jamison and Steve wareDevelopnrent&Zicij. Is Haracmak of Press Relations it orderublefmm O L W made a file available on DY28 No. Send a &UIK-OMM Sys- and QK11. The file name is tem Message to Mary Lee Keen GEINF*O. in Information Systems, in-

MARILYNWILSON cluding your compiete mailing

SAN FRANCISCO address. Her address is SYSC.

Our client does quite a few MStape outjobs and has a boxnll of the tapes he has received. Can he return them to GE Information Services for credit? No. If he can use them as scratch tapes or data tapes in his shop, he should do so. No, he can't send them back and ask us to write additional data on them, or write the output of additional jobs over the top of the present data. Years of experience have taught oper- ations that when writing a client's data to mag tape, unless a new mag tape is used, it can lead to unreadable data, jobs to be redone, credits, etc.

ELLIE THATCHER CLEVELAND

Does GE IMormation Sem ices still have a Credit Union for USA employees? How can be reach them for more data? Park Federal Credit Union in Louisville, Kentucky, serves us. They can be reached on 800-626-2870.

DEWEY ABONDONZA PITTSBURGH

The SPECTRUMstoryabout Vaughn Rodney's Worts in writing soflware makes

RAM SIDHAYE ATLANTA

What is the procedure for picking up a new catalog to be charged internally to our omce? You'll find details in a DY28 f i e named NEWCATS.

AHMAD HABIBI SAUDI ARABIA

Is there afille that provides a complete list of the item codes for ordering hard- ware and soptwtwv itenas? Yes. It's on DY28, and the file name is lTEMCODE.

STEVE S A W LYNDHURST

Since there's a price d m r - ence between Metro and Na- tional at W4800 baud, how can we tell v the num- ber being dialed is Metro or National? The International Access Directory will have an aster- isk next to the number if it's Metro. In 300 and 1200 baud service, there are two classes of service-National and Ex- tended National. You can tell if it's Extended National, be- cause the client is dialing an 850 number, and incurs a $20/hour premium rate.

SZEWAI LEUNG HONG KONG

We have clients who want to use the QUM-COMMSys- tem on a rertource priced basis instead of transac- tion price. How can that be handled? You will have to receive con- currence from OCO head- quartered here in Rockville. Send a message to QUIKBIS with details.

JAN BYL AMSTERDAM

Country codes are muired when sending % l a mes- sages. How can wefilnd out what the country codes are around the world? The new QUMvP** Users Guide Supplement for QUIK- COMM Telexaccess(0LOS 3410 .22-2) has all the codes listed on page A-1-from Abu Dhabi to Zimbabwe.

PWLLIS VERMA ARLINGTON, VA

What is the best procedure for getting our omce QUZE COMM address deleted fmm a group address? List a QKll file named GRP$ USER-there is a procedure that will save you time.

KATHY FIYNOSKI NEW JERSEY

I have an invoice from a QiYlEcoMM @stem only user, but there are some chargesldon 't understand. We know the client does not have any saved pies in the entire catalog, but he's re- ceived~ $-%8Ostomgecha~ fwPSUs each month. Also, there's an $18 change each month for a validation of some kind. What explana- tion can I give for them charges? The storage charges for $4.80 for PSUs indicatestha$ he has 6 user numbers validated, and he is being c-ed 1 PSU per month ($.$O each) for the page that is stored containing his validation record, pass-

word, etc. The 6 usem also in- cur a $3 .0 miscellaneous charge each per month for having the user number. These charges are standard- they are not unexpected. Af- ter all, the PSU charge for the validation record has been around since Day One, but has never come to light until ex- clusive QUIK-COMM System users came along having no stored files. If you promised the user he would see nothing but ABU charges, give him this explanation indicated (af- ter you've taken him to a nice lunch).

DALYN SOOHOO BERIZELEY

Is there a procedure to change the definition of an already existing group, without having to delete all the addresses and start j b m scratch? Yes. First get into the group by typing GRO NAME$. Then type *M NEW DESCRIPTOR NAME, followed by a *S on the next line. To check to see that you did it right, enter GRO NAME$ at CMD?, and it will tell you what the new name has been changed to.

LARRY McNBILXl ATlLANTA

What ccre the latsstpsoduct release numbers f ir the product?

DSXMIT2-DOSVS 1.ZE DSXMIT2-DOSVSE 1.26 DSX!MTn-0s 1.3W These can be ordered

through the QK11 program named DECK&. List a DY28 file named DSXWZ first to learn what questions DECKS* will ask you.

Clients have been asking for years if we have VM on our MARK 3000 Service-and the answer has always been NO, until now.

On April lst, system banners invited users to list a file announcing the new VM serv- ice. If you didn't see the

L

8*274-6517 QK: FAST

banner, here are just a few of the highlights: Vhl is a general purpose operating system, de- signed to provide efficient and user friendly interactive processing for both data proc- essing professionals and end users. VM supports an assort- ment of friendly end-user in- formation management tools to perform: m Data entry m Data organization H Retrieval/reporting

Electronic spread sheets Graphics Statistical computing Decision support

m Document prepartion Document distribution Electronic mail WISP General Information

manual is OLOS 2910.01, and the MARK 3000 VM Users Guide is 2910.16. This little diagram may give you an idea of where the VM system fits in the MARK 3000 Service world.

MIKE BOYCE PERTH, AUSTRALIA

A client heard that inter- nal MXRK 3006W users have a program that checks budgets and prevents over- budget users j b m access- ing. Is the function m i l - able f ir comnaercZa1 use? No. The function is strictly an internal system with an IR program checking a database at sign-on time, comparing it against a defied budget. The database is a nightly extract from the FG PAR files. A sim- ilar system could be devel- oped using the same tech- nique, but it is not a standard offering.

HOWARD FQRER NEW JERSEY

Is there an aughor that of- fers a job scheduling pro- grum on lMARK $000 Serv- ice? No. It's not from an author,

but it's now available. This has been one of the most often asked questions in Fast Fax in the MARK 3000 area. We now have Cybermation's Execu- tion SchedulmgProcessor/Job Stkbmission System (ESPIJSS), Release level 2.1. It" inte- grated into the operating sys- tem as a subsystem so there's no special catalog required. IBM does not offer a product like this. (Presumably they like to see more operators hired.) Here are some of the possible benefits to clients:

1. Reduce manual interven- tion involved in submitting jobs.

2. Have assurance that the job will be submitted at the correct time.

3. 'hke advantage of over- night batch work, without the need to establish 2nd and 3rd shift operations.

ESP/JSS can be used as both ajob submission system and as a driver for other time-depen- dent functions. For details on how to set up jobs for submis- sion, type NEWS K(JSS) on your MARK 3000 Service U#.

MARK 3000 Service U#s must be validated for the function via MaiIbox. 4

JOHN T H O ~ O N NEW JERSEY

Is the Value Line Data Base mailable on our service? Yes, and what's new is that it can now be accessed through the easy-to-use QMOD Sys- tem. VL DB 1l contains in- come statements, balance sheets, and information on sources and uses of funds for over 1600 major U.S. compa- nies. Several commonly used ratios and industry compos- ites are also available. Your client will have to make an agreement first with the Val- ue Line office in New York City before he can access the data on our sewice.

L 0 3 ,n,spm Supporttng MVS & TSO

I fl

4 1 - - VM Operation System Supports CMS

- - 3 - -

BOB FOSTER MIAMI

Can you give me some de- tails of the cost ofusing the public data network in Ger- many? It's called Datex-R Yes. The installation cost for the Datex-P connection is 400 Deutschmarks. The monthly cost is 130 DM. It takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks for an installation. If they use a Datex-P main connection, no modem is necessary. Sup- port will be provided by Michael Brombach, responsi- ble for incoming business. His address is GIBC. (Thanks to Hugo Schoen of Frankfurt for

I this data).

MARCELLA MAZZA MELBOURNE

How can we get an IBMSys- tem 36 connected to the net- work to be used in a Q U E COWU&stem application? The Orion company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has packages for the Systems 34/36/38 that connect these computers at 2400 or 4800 baud, and it's especially designed to interface to the QW-COMM System. The company can be reached here in the USA on 617-576-0470, and they have affiliates in most of the countries where we have distributors. If you need specific information for your territory, send your re- quest to FAST

APPlE T A M Presum that you have boarded a plane for a short businsss trip, and the man sitting in Ehe seat next to you m t h that gou unrrk for GE I r l f W i o n Services.

He has just read in the -m h-? agree- msnt M u m Apple and GE IT&-mmtion Sermices and MRg sommlhat knowledge- able in the field qf m a l l m m and thsi~ ability

to amem a netu~mk; he begins to ask y a some questions about u~hut is going on be- tween UEe tulo companies.

Before he starts asking you question., you'll be glad that you read this first. The mwt few pages will anticipate his questions, and will brief you on the answers you should be giving him. Q: What is your company's

agreement with Apple? A: There are two elements

to the agreement: 1. We've become a Value

Added Remarketer (VAR) for Apple products-ac- tually-the Macintosh only. The significance of this is our confidence in the Macintosh as a busi- ness computer and its use in networking applica- tions.

2. We also provide Ap- ple with consulting and networking services to design, implement, and operate Apple's dealer support system called Ap- pleLink.

Q: Are the AppleLink and Deazemlk appl2cations commercially available uet?

A: AppleLink is currently in pilot test with full rollout planned later this spring, and DealerTalk is in development phase.

Q: How many Mac8 does your company expect to sell?

A: There is no specific quan- tity, but the agreement only makes sense if we

plan to sell enough appli- cations to require at least 1,000 Macs per year. Mac- intosh sales may exceed our purchases from Apple because some clients pre- fer to buy from retail dealers or directly from Apple.

Q: What are the two terms "AppleLink and DeuZer Talk," and how does GE Ir@onnation Serv- ices fit in?

A: AppleLink is the dealer support system for Ap- ple's 2500 dealers. It pro- vides 1. a textual data base of answers to frequently asked questions; 2. electronic mail and 3. an electronic bulletin board to broadcast an- nouncements.

This system was jointly developed by Apple and GE Information Services. Its greatest value is access to existing technical or sales information.

Dealermk is our ver- sion of AppleLink repack- aged for other markets, in- cluding information pro- viders and dealers in in- dustries like electronics, telecommunications, pub- lishing, public accounting, and appliances. We have over 25 organizations on our prospect list and the average prospect has 75 remote sites. We are in the process of obtafning agreement with Apple for their support in helping

us remarket haler%@

should average $15 to $25 per user per b- day. We will market it through our field sales organiza- tion.

Q: Don't mOst companies print and mat5 technt cccl bu l l ins to their dealers?

A: Yes, but Apple headquar- ters can deliver new tech- nical data to their dealers in a matter of minutes, in- stead of weeks. This effi- ciency in transmitting the data makes their dealers and servicemen more re- sponsive to their custo- mers' technical questions. Apple hasalready invested in quality dealer support material, but we feel the network will give it even greater value.

Q: How do you plan to be succ-l when Apple has ?wen ZargeZu unsuc- ces&l with marketing to corporate accounts?

A: We recognize that some clients prefer IBM PC ap- plications, but we're pre- pared to defer these D e a l e r n opportunities until an I3M PC interface is developed. We think the -to-use advan- tages d the Macintosh in- terface with its rich use d graphics, together with our proprietary enhanced telecommunications serv- ices will be a compelling formula for success with corporate accounts. When the buying decision cri- teria is mainly the ability to fulfill information needs and requirements, then the AppleGE Infor- mation Services combha- tion will win.

so iaw are no technology amprkes. And they will work with us on key sales

twbied situations. This i s a situa- tion where we both win..

8.. When will MQC~ be ac- cepted by corporate Amdca?

A: It's already starting. While IBM PCs are the #1 corporate standard, Macs are Fiding their way in. People who need to com- municate graphically are creating the demand. Ex- amples include the 400 plus pages of high graphic presentation material we produced on a Mac and its laser printer for a one- week sales trairring course. All this took about 100 man-hours. High produc- tivity!

Q: Does this mean you am ~ e c t 2 n g iFBM msa

A: Not at all. In fact, most existing applications we have developed are built around IBM PC technol- ogy. A dual standard is developing, and we are accepting both.

Q: Have yorr m M any h l - eRhrk system?

A: We just announced the service on Mach 6th at the INTERFAGE '86 Con- ference in AtlantS, and already have many strong pmspects. We tm our timing Is right. Pemnal computers and network- ing are the raw materid for the applicatlom in the 80s. An im-t dvan- tage is that the 1VEwiatcsh insulates the user fmm the complex world of com- puter communications. Users prefer to point to something with a mouse rather than remember a series of cryptic PC commands.

Q: Do you intend to sell standalone Macs to cor- porate Amerlca?

TECHN lC AL PUBLICATIONS

A: No, our agreement with Apple stipulates that the Macintosh may only be sold by GE Information Services in conjunction with our networking serv- ices. Dealer- is a good example. Only typical re- tail dealers may sell the product without value added software and serv- ices.

Q: m e n might you recom- mend the lBlM PC over the Macintosh?

A: The IBM PC makes sense when the purchase criter- ia mandates a data proc- ess@ standard and when the appBeation inv01ves fmandJ data or number crunching. The Macintosh makes sense when the ap- plication is facilitated by graphics and ease of use. For example, applications involving First-time users.

GE Information Sewices Company garnered a total of seven major awards at a re- cently concluded Technical Publications Competition sponsored by the Society for Technical Communication.

Four levels of awards-Dis- tinction, Excellence, Merit, and Achievement-were pre- sented in fourteen catego- ries. Award winners and win- ning publications include: Bill Backer (enhanced telecom- munications marketing), Mi- cm Integration SsRu~are and Services, Award of Distinc tion and Podtivelg IWRRKIIT, Award of Achievement; Jewe Burnett (advertbhg and &%

promotion^ n28 Q=- Sgs&m, A w d of M c t b n d 1 r b f - b M a - t ast@%m-,=- LEY@', MARK e, Award of Achievement; Phillip Piper and Mary Wise (systems and languages documentation), lMARK m Can- user's &i&, Award of Achieve- ment; Mary W k and Jane Byre, SOFTRAN Services User's Guide, Award of Achievement; and Suzanne Porter (systems and languages documentation), MARKWET Itmniml Operator's Guide, Award of Achievement.

The Micro Z - t h Sf - umre and Servioes brochure and 'Ilae Q~-CY)MM~~stem, winners of Awards of Dis- tinction, qualified for auto- matic submission to STC's In- ternational Technical Publi- cation Competition and will compete with regional win- ners worldwide for the Inter- national Awards to be pre- sented at STC's International Technical Communication Conference in Houston in May 1985.

GE Information Services' performance in the Technical Publications Competition, and presence at the Interna- tional Technical Communica- tion Conference marks ow continuing success in the publications field. The tech- nical documentation and ad- vertising groups have won numerous awards at the In- ternational Technical Com- munication Conference is the past. This year's display rep- resents a culminating effort as never before have we been so well represented or received so much recogni- tion-aeross the board-for our publications.

The Society for Technical Communication is an interna- tional organization with more than 8,000 members world- wide. STC is dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication in all media. The Society has over 80 chap- ters in the United States and Canada and branches in for- eign countries.

-2h.uart.m P m

The MARK 3000 Service is IBM compatible and affords conversational remote job en- try and computer-to-comput- er processing. A number of publications describe new, recently revised, or imminent MARK 3000 services.

HARK 3000 SERVICE V m

lSHED The MARK 3000 Senvice VM User's Guide (2910.16) des- cribes in detail this service, which combines the flexible facilities of the standard IBM VM/System Product (VM/SP) with additional security and terminal access features and with the capabilities of the GE Information Services Net- work.

MARK 3000 VM service pro- vides user development facil- ities that take full advantage of VM/SP's resource optimi- zation. At the same time, this service affords the widest possible choice of communi- cations terminals, including Binary Synchronous (BSC) 3270 access and low-speed ASCII-type CRT terminals.

The Guide also lists numer- ous reference publications available from IBM and GE Information Services.

The Execution Scheduling Processor/Job Submission Sys- tem (ESP/JSS) is a production scheduling subsystem of the MARK 3000 operating system. JSS is time-dependent, ac- cepts work requests from ter- minal users or for batch jobs, and schedules and prioritizes work based upon its internal rules and normal priority processing procedures.

JSS serves as both a job submission system and as a ,

driver for other time-depen- dent functions, affording substantial flexibility in com- plex environments.

For additional detail, con- sult the ESP//Joh SubmisFion System General Znfmat ion Manual (2057.01), the ESP/- JSS Uscrr's Guide (2057.02), and ESPUSS Messqqes Man- ual (2057.03).

Revised versions of several graphics and plotting soft- ware products are soon to be available.

DISSPLA is a library of FORTRAN subroutines de- signed to facilitate data plot- ting by engineers, econo- mists, statisticians, and scien- tific and business program- mers. DISSPLA is device and computer independent, inte- grates graphic devices, fea- tures easy language, and of- fers many levels of sophisti- cation. New Version 9.2 in- corporates new axes routines and corrections to user-re- ported problems.

For detailed information see the DISSPLA User's Guide (5111.20A) and DZSS- PLA Pocket Guide (5111.21A) for Version 9.2.

TELLA-GRAF is a flexible, conversational computer graphics system that pro- duces publication-quality graphs and charts. TELGA- GRAF is computer and device independent; features auto- matic scaling, layout, and an- notation of graphs; and facili- tates experimentation with various formats. TELGA- GRAF runs in time sharing or batch mode. The new Version 5.0 includes extensive en- hancements, such as: intelli- gent layout capabilities, in- creased color options, an area chart format, and corrections to user-reported problems.

Additional information is supplied in the revised TELG

A-GRAF Reference Manual (5111.22A) and TEUA-GRAF Pocket Guide (5111.23A).

FOCUS 4.5 DOCUMENTATIOI

AVAILABLE FOCUS Release 4.5 requires users to have more memory available (a logon size of 2200 is recommended). In addition, FOCUS 4.5 includes a number of new features, such as: functional enhancements that facilitate application de- velopment; convenience aids; raised boundaries in several important areas; im- proved efficiency that re- duces CPU resource con- sumption; and language ex- tensions that increase the range of differential applica- tions.

For more information on how to use these new fea- tures, see FOCUS Release 4.5 Summay/ of Neu) Features (5614.29) and FOCUS Release 4.5 User's Manual (5614.01).

N EW SCRIPTIVS MANUALS STOCKED

SCRIPT/VS is a formatting text processing program that is part of the IBM Document Composition Facility licensed program. SCRIPT/VS supplies a wide range of capabilities for manuscript preparation, text markup, page makeup, and printing. SCRIPTIVS pro- vides formats for terminal, impact, or nonimpact print- ing and operates in an inter- active environment (TSO or SPF) or in a batch environ- ment (under the Document Library Facility).

Stocked are six new SCRIPT /VS documents: DCF: SCRIPT N S lkrt Programmer's Guide (2900.69); DCF: SCRIPTIVS Language Reference (2900.70); DCF: Messages (2900.72); DLF: a i d s (2900.59A); DLF: Messages (2900.73); and DCF: Generalized Markup Lan-

w a g e Starter Set Zmpbnm- tation (2900.71).

Other documents previous- ly stocked are being updated.

I l lu l

SOFTRAN Services supply an electronic means of managing and distributing authorized microcomputer software in a distributed information sys- tems environment. With SOFT- RAN, all the latests, up-to- date software can be made immediately available to an entire user population. SOFT- RAN uses GE Information Services' MARK III@ Fore- ground Service as a repository and controlling delivery me- dium for IBM PC software, data files, and documenta- tion.

Detail on SOFTRAN is given in itsProductProfile(1375.19), Sgstem Description (1375.28) and User's Guide (1375.20-1).

The administrator portion of SOFTRAN (being commer- cialized as this is being writ- ten) handles the control func- tions, and SOFTRAN takes care of the processing details. The SOFTRAN Administrator can: upload PC software into a SOFTRAN library using er- ror-free transmission; control user access validation; broad- cast messages and informa- tion; exercise software ver- sion controls; post and main- tain software product des- criptions; audit reports for access, download, and usage information; and download software from SOFTRAN li- brary to a PC.

SOFTRAN administration also manages system growth by routine fnaintenance-es- tablishing and loading new products or module versions to existing libraries and add- ing new user profiies.

The new SOFTRAN Ad- ministrator's Guide (1375. 29-1) is being published this month.

HEW EUROPEAN COMPANY SET UP

General Electric Company (USA) has announced the es- tablishment of its European management company, Gen- eral Electric Europe with of- fices in London and Frank- furt.

Paolo Fresco, an Italian with more than 20 years ex- perience with General Elec- tric, has been appointed pres- ident and chief executive of- ficer of the new organization. He will lead a management board comprised of senior managers of General Elec- tric's European affiliates and divisions.

This is a confirmation of GE's continuing commitment to Europe, where there are more than 15,000 employees, and does not involve any fun- damental change in the exist- ing operations of GE's busi- ness groups and affiliate com- panies. It is intended to make a signficant contribution to GE's European business in three distinct areas: defining the broad corporate strategies and policies at the European level; achieving increased in- tegration and synergy among the various operating activi- ties; and actively seeking new opportunities for profit- able growth such as invest- ment and alliances with Eur- opean organizations.

Mr. Fresco will retain his current responsibility as vice president and general man- ager for Europe, Middle East and Africa Operations and continue as chairman of Gen- eral Electric Industrial Automation-Europe.

GE OFFERS MAGIC KINGDOM CLUB DISCOUWTS

If you are going to Florida or California, you can benefit from membership in Walt Dis- ney's Magic Kingdom Club.

All GE employees are eligi- ble to become members. All you have to do is send your name, home address, employ- ee pay number, and a self-ad- dressed, stamped envelope to: Georginne Edmon, GE Carousel of Progress, Walt Disney World, P.O. Box 40, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.

Please send your request well in advance of your planned use to allow time for processing; because of restric- tions, phone requests will not be accepted.

Nearly all GE employees re- ceived the GE annual report this month as required by the Security and Exchange Com- mission as part of the process leading to a company's an- nual meeting.

Sid Spencer, GE corporate consultant for external finan- cial information, explained, "SEC rules state that when share owners are asked to vote for directors through a proxy solicitation program, as is the case with GE, they must receive a set of financial statements-an annual report -prior to or along with re- ceipt of the proxy statement."

The specifics of this f i an - cial disclosure are also set by the SEC. Industry segment data is a case in point. "If a segment of a company ac- counts for 10 percent of reve-

nues, operating profits, or total assets," he said, "its results must be reported sep- arately. Because of this, Ma- jor Appliance, which has grown very fast in the past few years, is broken out from the rest of consumer prod- ucts for the first time in the '84 report."

GE's 1984 Report leads with a letter to share owners from the Corporate Executive Of- fice-Jack Welch, Larry Bossidy, and Ed Hood. The letter advances the past few years' discussion of GE strat- egy, performance in the face of tough competitive envi- ronment, and the changing nature of GE culture.

The annual report offers a level of detail that very few share owners will need. How- ever, the detailed technical information in the extensive 'notes' section, is important to a small but critical audi- ence-the professional secu- rities analysts who follow GE and, it is hoped, recommend purchase of GE stock. They use the detailed financial in- formation to make perform- ance forecasts, upon which they base purchase recom- mendations. Along with the financial information, the fi- nancial analysts look to the management letter, the ex- planation of strategy, and to top management to get a greater understanding of GE.

Congratulations to the follow- ing employees who celebrate service anniversaries in April:

30 years Rockville

Glenn Uthe

26 years Brook Park

Gladys Johnson Rockville

Me1 Szot D e n w

Ronald Nutter

10 years Rockville

Mary Jane McCarraher

5 years Albany

Mary Curland Cleveland

Charles Skerya Dallas

Barbara Lewis D e n w

Rilla Washington Narl York

JoAnne Velardo Oak Bmok

Stephen Kingsbury Rockville

Joseph Jordan Lnz Sharp Robert Sparks

. . . AND THE WINNERS ARE